Match Report from Trafford MV vs. Eccles

Match Report by Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV hosted neighbours Eccles at the weekend on a bright day with a strong diagonal breeze that influenced both teams.

Eccles opened brightly with two early chances going begging, and MV took advantage with a Jamie Parker try and a Luke O’Shea conversion, 7-0. Eccles replied, crashing through the centre close to the posts and converting to level, 7-7.

They went ahead with a good midfield switch and cut back inside from the centre, 7-14. TMV kept in the game when Aaron Booth danced through on the blind side after good forward pressure; conversion missed, 12-14.

Eccles were playing well, and Trafford defended hard when the Eccles winger rounded the TMV defence on the right and converted, 12-21. A gulf was beginning to open when a strong scrum from Eccles shunted the TMV pack 15m to touch down; try converted, 12-28 at the break.

Eccles opened in similar fashion as good hands and pace down the left put the winger in, and the conversion made it 12-35. Trafford were sticking to their task; however, a break from Chris Ward put left wing Oscar Livings over to touch down under the sticks. O’Shea’s conversion made it 19-35.

It was real end-to-end rugby as Eccles replied down the right with the winger scoring; conversion made it 19-42. Trafford MV’s forward pressure allowed Arron Booth to put Jamie Kingdon over with Luke O’Shea converting, 26-42. Eccles got the ball wide to the right wing, and their Player of the Match, Cony, scored again, but the conversion was missed, 26-47.

The Eccles right wing popped up again, this time on the left, scoring and adding the conversion, 26-54. MV came back again through Jimmy Craven, and Luke O’Shea made it 33-54 but saw an immediate response from the Eccles right wing, 33-59. True to the game, there was a fortunate late score from Arron Booth as he kicked through and picked up to touch down for the final try converted by Luke O’Shea, 40-59 final score to Eccles.

The last three games have seen much improved performances from Trafford MV, with just a bit more confidence and organization needed in defence. Trafford now have a break week as the Six Nations open before they get to show Tarleton their love on Valentine’s Day – There will be no Rose Garden at MacPherson Park for the visitors!

Trafford MV will open their doors on Thursday evening for the opening game of the 2026 Six Nations Championship as France host Ireland in Paris at 8:10 PM. Local rugby supporters are invited to join us in the Clubhouse to watch the opening game in a lively rugby environment. Non-members are very welcome to join us for the game.

On Saturday afternoon, we will be showing England vs. Wales at 4:40 PM, with England being firm favourites and Wales looking for an upset.

New players are always welcome at TMV, whether for the competitive 1st/2nd XVs or for the more sociable 3rd XV. Get in touch with wilfdooley@virginmedia.com for any information required.

Image: Ian Rogers